Bugsy Malone stars lead Lyric’s Herons

Bugsy Malone stars Sophia Decaro and Max Gill will return to the Lyric Hammersmith’s stage in the new year to lead the cast of Simon Stephens’ Herons.

The young duo, who played Tallulah and Fat Sam in the venue’s musical hit this summer, will take on the roles of Adele and Billy in Sean Holmes’ production from 15 January to 13 February.

Both a portrayal of brutalised no-hopers and a witty hymn for hope, Herons tells the story of 14-year-old Billy. Tormented by local bullies and humiliated beyond endurance he finally reaches breaking point and is pushed to an act of vengeance.

Decaro and Gill are joined in the cast by actor and comedian Ed Gaughan, who returns to the Lyric following performances in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Island and Radioplay, Billy Matthews, whose recent London stage credits include Love And Information at the Royal Court, and Sophie Stone (Two, Southwark Playhouse).

The cast is completed by Ella McLoughlin (Alice In Wonderland, Orange Tree Theatre) and Moses Adejimi, who makes his professional stage debut in the production.

Holmes’ revival of Stephens’ unflinching and incendiary drama will be the first production to open at the Lyric Hammersmith in 2016 and marks 15 years since the play’s premiere. It opens following the venue’s 2015 festive offering, which sees the classic tale Cinderella brought to life by playwright Tom Wells in a production that promises colourful characters, live music, lots of laughs and two very ugly sisters.